Marks: Brass plaque on crest rail (left) inscribed "USED BY PRESIDENT U.S. GRANT/ AT HIS INAUGURATION MARCH 4, 1873"; brass plaque on crest rail (center) inscribed "CHAIR USED AT THE INAUGURATION OF/ GEORGE WASHINGTON/ AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, APRIL 30, 1789/ PRESENTED BY EDMUND B. SOUTHWICK/ MARCH 7, 1916"; brass plaque on crest rail (right) inscribed "USED BY PRESIDENT JAMES A. GARFIELD/ AT HIS INAUGURATION MARCH 4, 1881"

Gallery Label:

After being sworn in as president of the United States on the balcony of New York City's Federal Hall on April 30, 1789, George Washington sat in this armchair in the Senate chamber, where he delivered his inaugural address to members of Congress. The chair was subsequently used for the inaugurations of Ulysses S. Grant in 1873 and James A. Garfield in 1881.

Provenance:

Federal Hall, New York City; to William Coventry Henry Waddell (1802-1844); to his descendant Edmund B. Southwick